The People Power Party leadership discussed the issue of reelecting party chapter heads on the morning of the 20th but failed to reach a conclusion. The plan is to reconvene and discuss the matter again after the plenary session ends.
Chief spokesperson Choi Bo-yoon of the People Power Party met with reporters at the National Assembly that morning and said, "There was discussion on a plan to elect the 2026 regular party members' council operating committee chairs," adding, "There were various discussions, but due to time constraints, the decision will be made at the 5 p.m. supreme council meeting."
Representative Jang Dong-hyeok is calling for a full reelection of party chapter heads. Under Article 26 of the People Power Party's party rules, party chapter heads are to be elected by the end of August every even-numbered year. Jang argues that all party chapter head posts should be vacated at the end of this month and refilled through primaries. It is part of strengthening the "party member-centered approach."
But there is significant pushback from incumbent lawmakers serving as party chapter heads. The People Power Party has so far extended party chapter head terms without separate procedures.
At the supreme council meeting held that morning, party "two top" figures—Representative Jang and floor leader Jeong Jeom-sik—also clashed over the issue. Jang expressed his intention to push forward, but Jeong, the floor leader, opposed it. The supreme council meeting, which began around 9:45 a.m., was suspended at 11 a.m. due to the general assembly of lawmakers.
Supreme council member Woo Jae-joon met with reporters after the supreme council meeting and said, "This is effectively exercising general election nominations in advance, and if that's the case, the leadership and the party convention should both be redone," adding, "The (Jang Dong-hyeok) leadership doesn't have the authority to do this."
Senior lawmakers also hold a negative view. Lawmaker Kwon Young-se said on SBS Radio's Kim Tae-hyun's Political Show that replacing party chapter heads is "not appropriate," adding, "We need to lead the party in a way that can raise our combat power, and it seems lacking in that regard." Senior lawmakers with four or more terms in the People Power Party were reportedly set to gather after the plenary session that day to discuss the issue.